'It feels good': First 28 students from University of Saskatchewan's nursing fast-track program graduate
The first students of a fast-track nursing program at the University of Saskatchewan have graduated.
The program aims to address the province's healthcare staffing shortage.
"It feels good. It's been a little bit busy for the past two years, so it's nice to finally be done," Jarret Calvert, one of the 28 graduates, told CTV News.
The program is designed for students who already have an undergraduate degree to get a nursing degree in just two years.
Calvert hopes to work in his hometown of Turtleford, Sask. where he's seen shortages of healthcare workers.
"Try and help where I came from," Calvert said.
Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan's new health minister, congratulated the students.
Before arriving at the university, he toured Saskatoon's St. Paul's hospital, known to struggle with issues around overcrowding.
"I had a good opportunity to walk the hospital, meet with several staff, understand the challenges that they're seeing and start to work on some ideas on how we help ease some of the pressures," Cockrill said.
On Tuesday, Cockrill and Lori Carr, the minister responsible for mental health and addictions, met with SEIU-West.
"They were engaged in the conversation. The experts we had in the room felt that there was interest and curiosity, for two brand new ministers who really don't have a background in the health care system," SEIU-West President Barbara Carp said.
"I take a lot of hope from that."
The union is calling for the minister to regularly tour healthcare facilities and launch a nursing task force — both ideas, Cockrill committed to.
"Yes and yes," Cockrill told journalists.
More students of the post-degree bachelor of science in nursing are set to graduate in April.
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